House makeover using Dulux paint colours

Seeing it now, it’s hard to imagine Kate and Aaron’s transitional villa in its former state. While this Auckland home was once plain white, a colourful renovation and extension has brought life to every cornice, skirting board, wall and architrave. The couple used 17 Dulux paint colours to transform their 1910 home, inside and out, all unified by a subtle grey undertone. These colours include deep yellow on light wells, a soft light blue in the kitchen and burnt orange on interior columns.

The couple bought the home for its level site and wide hallways and added ramps to connect it to the garden, improving access for Kate who uses a wheelchair.

The architectural bones were good, and it had great proportions. “The house was tidy but very plain,” says Kate. “Every wall was white, and while the structure had real presence with its high ceilings, the house itself felt lifeless. We added a simple 30sqm lean-to extension, designed by Pac Studio, and focused on transforming the atmosphere with colour, texture and plantings.”

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Discover out how Kate and Aaron used colour for their house makeover to transform its look and feel, including:

• Applying Dulux paints to the home’s exterior by painting cladding, awnings, windowsills and the verandah.
• How they added colour to transform a room by painting their built-in bookcase and light wells.
• How to choose a colour scheme for your home by heading to the Dulux Colour Wall at Bunnings. 

Tips for planning an exterior renovation

The confident, thoughtful approach saw the home recognised as a finalist in the Dulux Colour Awards 2025. “There’s often a tendency to play it safe with older homes, but here, the palette brings new life and character to the original architecture while still respecting its history,” says judge and co-founder of at.space interior design studio Alex McLeod.

The equally vibrant garden features verbena, salvia and phlomis (Jerusalem sage), and drove the earthy tones used on the home’s exterior. “The exterior colours help the house recede into the plantings,” says Kate. “The house feels like it sits within the garden, rather than apart from it.” Some of the outdoor renovation includes:

• The cladding is painted in Dulux Weathershield Low Sheen tinted to a sage green.
• The fascia, shingle awnings and windowsills are a deep grey-green, and timber joinery and trims are a warm beige.
• The front verandah, overlooking a bird- and butterfly-friendly garden, is drenched in a warm clay brown. 

How to update interior spaces with paint

Kate’s favourite features are the built-in bookcase, which is powdercoated in a greyed-off dark blue and “holds our ever-growing collection of books”, and the yellow light wells, which make the interior feel sunny even on grey days. “Paint is such an economical way to change how a space feels – it is joyful, flexible and easy to update,” she says. 

How to choose Dulux exterior paint colours

Dulux NZ colour specialist Davina Harper calls this home a great example of how colour can revitalise a renovation. “A good tip to remember is that colour can be used strategically to hide flaws or highlight architectural features, such as a beautiful front door,” she says.

When choosing exterior colours, Davina suggests taking inspiration from your surroundings and the garden, as Kate and Aaron have done. “Use contrast – for example, if your garden is lush and dark green, a lighter or neutral house colour can provide beautiful balance,” she explains. “And try connecting your front door colour to a feature in your garden.”

If you’re still unsure about exterior colours, head in store. “At Bunnings, the Dulux Colour Wall features eight Exterior Scheme Colour Chips. Each chip includes a weatherboard, roof and trim colour, so you get a ready-made scheme to inspire you,” Davina says. For older homes, the Dulux Colours of New Zealand Heritage Collection – based on historical accuracy but designed with a fresh perspective – is worth exploring. “The collection features 48 colours grouped into eight palettes. Each palette includes six colours that work harmoniously together, so you can combine some or all for an authentic yet updated heritage look,” she says.

Keep in mind…

Paint colours may vary on application.

Keen to do some D.I.Y. renovating?

Use our beginner’s guide to renovating your house.

Photo credit: Samuel Hartnett.